Can an Onion Charge an iPod?

Nov. 26, 2008 — -- Here at ABCNews.com, we just had to find out.

According to this YouTube video that has so far been viewed more than 7 million times, a white onion left to absorb the electrolytes found in Gatorade produces enough electrical current to charge an iPod.

We were a bit skeptical.

Click Here to Watch the ABCNews.com Test.

Per the video, we purchased the necessary ingredients -- a small, white onion and two cups of Gatorade -- and found a USB cord with a working iPod. With the items in hand, we set out to determine whether the claim was fact or fiction.

Following the guidelines set forth in the YouTube video, we punctured the onion on two sides using a screw driver. According to "Household Hacker," the alias of the individual who filmed and posted the experiment online, the holes are necessary for the onion to absorb the Gatorade.

After about 30 minutes we removed the onion from the glass of Gatorade and got ready to insert the USB cord into the onion. The music swells – would it really charge the iPod?

The answer is a disappointing "no."

The iPod didn't even flicker to life, let alone begin to charge. The MP3 player remained off and we were left with a soggy onion and a glass of tainted Gatorade.

This appears to be an iFraud.

While Household Hacker did not immediately respond to messages from ABCNews.com to discuss the experiment, Adam Savage, co-host of The Discovery Channel's "Mythbusters," wasn't shy when it came to debunking the theory.

"It's total horses**t," said Savage, who offered to pay this reporter $100 if the experience had been a success.